Myths about Drug Detox Treatment

A sobering reality about Substance Abuse Detox treatment in New Jersey and how it may be a necessity.

Detoxification is the process when your body is cleansed of all drugs, alcohol, and toxins in your system. As a result, if your body is dependent on drugs or alcohol, which is usually true involving drug addiction, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. 

Going through a licensed drug detox program near Cherry Hill, NJ or Philadelphia can help ease those withdrawal symptoms and make for a safer and more comfortable detoxification process. 

Many people choose detox as the first step in the recovery process. However, before you decide to go through detox or not, here are some common myths about drug detox you should know.

Myth #1: You can detox at home

When you detox from drugs, especially alcohol and benzodiazepines, it’s important for it to be done under medical and professional supervision. Often, that means going into a detox facility to receive the proper care and treatment, which is available 24 hours a day. 

While it would be a nice luxury to be able to detox in the comfort of your own home, the fact of the matter is – it’s simply not smart to do. The detox process requires medical supervision.

This is especially true if you are addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines (like Xanax and Klonopin), which can be life-threatening. 

Doing this at home limits your access to the same medical care that’s needed to safely complete a drug or alcohol detox. A detox center or drug rehab near Voorhees, NJ may be needed and is definitely recommended.

Detoxing by yourself at home can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, fatal.

Myth #2: Can a detox be fatal?

As mentioned previously, drug detox can be fatal depending on the drug used. Also, other medical conditions can complicate the detox process. This includes drugs that don’t inherently present the opportunity for death like cocaine and opioid medications.

Substances that can be fatal once an addiction is developed include alcohol and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

They include names like:

• hallucinations
• fever
• tremors
• vomiting
• sweating
• seizures

The most severe symptom is seizures, which when combined with everything can lead to fatality.

With alcohol, you may also experience Delirium tremens, or DTs as you’re likely to hear them called. These are severe symptoms that include vivid hallucinations and delusions.

Myth #3: Can you detox in 7 Days?

The time it takes you to detox varies on your degree of substance abuse and your specific needs as an individual.

For instance, the higher your drug or alcohol consumption, the longer and/or more intense the detox may be. Plus, the symptoms that can follow from suddenly stopping drugs or binge drinking can be severe and further detox.

The general timeframe for drug and alcohol detoxification can be as little as 4-5 days or could take as long as 8-10 days. Getting rid of toxins from the body is the goal, the time shouldn’t influence that.

Myth #4: Detox is a horrible experience

Is detox fun and enjoyable? Not necessarily. However, it also isn’t completely horrifying. Everyone’s detoxification experience is different and can vary based on many reasons.

Some of the things that affect your detox experience include:

• your level of substance abuse
• your body composition
• genetic makeup
• the care you receive during the process
  
  

Detox is more than just stopping drug use from substances like opiates, benzodiazepines, or alcohol. And it’s also more than just the withdrawal that comes from stopping drug usage.

Often, detox is medically-managed to reduce what could otherwise be intense due primarily to some highly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. In fact, there are medications that are specifically meant to help with withdrawal and detoxification.

Myth #5: Detox ruins your life

Quite the opposite. Detox can completely change your life, for the better. Going through a safe detoxification process, with the help of medical professionals, can be the start you need on your path to recovery.

By ridding your body of drugs and alcohol, you will be able to remember what it feels like to live without being high or drunk. Ultimately working to change your life for the better.

Myth #6: Detox is only for addicts

You may not consider yourself an “addict,” but it’s essential to know that detox is not just for “addicts.” It’s also important to note, that many people that seek a drug and alcohol detox do not actually fit the societal definition of an “addict.”

Substance use sits on a broad spectrum and looks different for everyone, as it can vary from mild and moderate to severe. Many people go through detox because their addiction has taken over their lives, and other vital aspects of life have taken a back seat.

It’s easy to let drugs and alcohol take control, so detox allows you to take the control back in your life.

Anyone can form a dependent relationship with alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and any other drugs, which means that anyone – “addict” or not – can benefit from detoxification.

Myth #7: Is drug detox the same as recovery or sobriety?

Drug detox is just the first step in your path to recovery. Once you go through detox and get rid of all substances from your body, it’s time to put in the work.

It’s important to receive professional, long-term treatment for substance abuse and addiction. This includes going through a rehabilitation process, where you will participate in several activities.

They can include individual and group therapy, which will help you learn about yourself and dive deep into the root of your substance abuse. Teaching you different and more positive ways to handle any triggers or stressors in your life.

An important recommendation too is to attend 12-step meetings like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. Its easy to find meetings near Cherry Hill, Marlton, Philadelphia, Princeton, or anywhere near your area.

Contact Victory Bay Recovery about Treatment

Are you ready to move forward and start a detox or drug rehab treatment? Then contact Victory Bay Recovery of New Jersey.

As shown above, we offer complete recovery through our outpatient programs at our Addiction center.

If you are located near Cherry Hill, NJ; Voorhees, NJ; Toms River, NJ; Marlton, NJ; or Philadelphia – we offer in-person therapy. We also offer Telehealth.

To schedule a consultation today, call us at 855.239.5099.